"It does seem a shame not to kill the little guy, but that was some nice fistwork," i say thoughtfully to the monk. or rather I say to nobody in particular, as I look up to see that he has swiftly moved. The sound of running feet brings me back to situation at hand, and I whirl around trying to size up the condition of my impromptu compatriots and the state of affairs.
coughing self consciously before speaking up a little, i ask "Anyone got any idea what's actually going on? Or is that a stupid question?"
Rilo hesitantly ties up the goblin, but he does so to keep his new friend appeased in the somewhat dire situation. "I'm not sure if this is a great idea, what if his friends come to save him?"
"Well, we're about to find out," Kenzo replies to Rilo, "Here they come."
As the weary group turns to face the source of the quick footsteps, tensions ease when it is observed to be only Father Zantus, accompanied by another, slightly older man. Zantus is carrying a hooded lantern in one hand, his other hand is clutching the butterfly medallion he wears around his neck.
Father Zantus’ companion moves with a lurching gait, as if he is carrying something and as he approaches closer you can see that he is a hunchback. He is also clutching an armful of scrolls.
“Many are in the cathedral, safe as they can be at a time like this,” says Zantus with heavy breath, “Me and Brother Vosk are seeing to those as are injured. I can see one or two of you at least have suffered in this battle. Desna surely knows you have my gratitude. Come, let us see what we can do for you.”
"I've still got some fight left in me if there's anywhere I can be of use...", i say following after Father Zantus.
"You should be inside, there are likely more goblins about, and battles to fight," Kenzo says to the priest and his companion.
I take a moment to quickly search the bodies of the Goblins that we have defeated, and let Rilo know if any of the fallen are still alive but unconscious.
"Thank you for your assistance Father Zantus and Brother Vosk, are there any townspeople unaccounted for, or any areas still infested with this vermin?"
Rilo looks to the others and back at the goblin that is now tied up
"well I personally would rather not hang out with this stench anymore, but if there are more to fight we should probably take care of them while we've still got the energy"
I take a moment to quickly search the bodies of the Goblins that we have defeated, and let Rilo know if any of the fallen are still alive but unconscious.
"Thank you for your assistance Father Zantus and Brother Vosk, are there any townspeople unaccounted for, or any areas still infested with this vermin?"
Magazin’s search turns up some grisly bird’s feet, two dead toads, several old teeth, a couple of shiny rocks, three blue feathers, 5 rusty dog-slicers, a whip, 20 copper stars, 4 copper rings from Riddleport (i.e. 24 cp total), and a small, well made drum. Each of the goblins is of course wearing dirty leather armor and all had a shield.
Fully three of the goblins are still alive, including the bard and the goblin Kenzo beat into unconsciousness and Rilo subsequently tied up.
Using a few prepared spells and a scroll, the two member’s of Sandpoint’s clergy begin the process of healing the injured.
While Brother Vosk says little, Father Zantus tries to talk to each. “Good, good I’m sure there well may be more fighting… So many goblins… never fear Desna will protect us I am sure,… and the sheriff must be somewhere about… There are many safely in the Cathedral… There are too many townspeople to account for them all,… I am sure many fled to their homes and locked their doors,…Wretched creatures,… What were they thinking,… Their evil goddess must be smiling at all this panc,…”
Well, friend," Kenzo says as he slaps Rilo on the back, "It looks like you have some new material for your pen."
Stretching and turning to the priest, he says, "Thank you, Father, for the healing. Your assistance will be put to good use, and we will do what we can to help the town and it's people."
"Now then, gentleman. My name is Kenzo and this is my friend Rilo," the monk explains with a nod toward his new drinking buddy. "It sounds like there is still much for us to do, and we should act quickly. The two questions seem to be, what to we do with these sorry mongrels," he says while pointing to the wounded goblins, "and where do we head next?"
After a very brief pause he adds, "I do suggest that whatever our next step may be, we stick together. Whether we brought together by providence or coincidence, there is safety in numbers and we've already shown we fight well together."
Gyorgy steps over toward Magazin: "My friend, Magazin. My family... I am a poor swordsman, and you have a keen aim - I am in your debt."
"Well," responding to Kenzo, "my schedule's open, so consider me a fighting companion. My name's Eugen."
"Well met Kenzo Eugen and Rilo, I am Magazin and this is my friend Gyorgy." I smile,offering my hand first to Kenzo then Rilo and then Eugen.
"I believe that first we should first restrain this vermin and then make a quick survey of the town to make sure the vermin have been dealt with and to see if we can locate the sheriff."
“Gentlemen,” says the priest, “your camaraderie is quite refreshing, but I fear there are others that may need my help. We are going to the garris…”
Before Zantus can finish his statement, a dog begins barking fiercely to the north and there is a loud scream. It is hard to tell whether it is a man or a woman screaming.
The scream is followed by the resounding crash, as of glass breaking, and a medley of shrill voices begin chanting,…
“Slice the dog and eat its heart…
“Slice the dog and eat its heart…
“Slice the dog and eat its heart…
“Slice the dog and eat its heart…
The noises are not immediate, they are coming from somewhere across the square, but the dark of night has come and distances are beginning to seem greater in the growing gloom.
A voice cries out, “Will no one help!”
Brother Vosk hesitates a moment and then pointing at the goblins on the ground growls out, "I can take care of these scum,... with your permission Father?"
Zantus, wide-eyed and suddenly dismayed at the racket coming from the north, merely nods.
Rilo looks in the direction of the cry and tightens his grip on his dagger
"Well then, we should get a move on eh? that doesn't sound like a voice that wants to wait"
Thinks to himself: "would you listen to yourself, charging into battle against goblins for strangers eh? not your normal self today"
He looks down at the goblin he has tied up and mumbles to himself, "Not a usual day for me by far."
Without a pause, Gyorgy spins on his heels and heads north toward the noise... then his head catches up with his heart and he slows down enough to let anyone else heading that way catch up with him.
"C'mon," Kenzo yells, running toward the commotion with his new friends.
I too join in the race to cross the square.
"Thank you Father Zantus and Brother Vosk."
"Looks like our work may not be done yet, at least tomorrow I can sleep sound knowing that I have done good works tonight!"
"Even in darkness, Desna provides light"
"Humans, always running into the dark when light is easily available."
I wave to Father Zantus and Brother Vosk as I follow the rest of the group.
Magazin’s speed allows him to quickly catch up with the others and soon they are running as a group, past the Cathedral and up church street.
As they run, the voices up ahead become louder…
Slice the dog and eat its heart…
Slice the dog and eat its heart…
There is no doubt that the shrill chanting is coming from goblins.
There are lights coming from the windows of the White Deer and they dimly illuminates the scene being played out in front of the Inn’s doors.
Goblins stand here and there around the Inn’s yard, shields up, a mixture of fear and elation on their faces. Their chanting is being led be a female goblin who stands precariously perched atop a large rain barrel at the corner of the Inn. She is holding a whip and using it to keep time with her chanting.
Slice the dog and eat its heart…
Slice the dog and eat its heart…
Near the southern most wooden statue of the Inn’s namesake, a vicious battle is taking place between a large dog and a goblin mounted upon his own canine steed. At least you think the thing he is seated upon is a canine. The rat like tail and ugly face are like no dog any of you have ever seen. This particular goblin is a little larger than his comrades and instead of a dog-slicer, he wields a goblin polearm.
Near the fight, cowering behind yet another large rain barrel is a young woman. She looks vaguely familiar to Kenzo but he can’t quite place where he has seen her. Standing near her, protectively, dagger at the ready, is a handsome man in expensive clothes. He looks scared but his stance makes it clear that he has no intentions of allowing the goblins near the woman.
As you take it all in, it is clear that the goblins are trying to encourage the mounted goblin with their chanting, though it is equally clear that all of them are frightened. Just as you prepare yourself to act, there is a growl, a whine, a lunge. Blood flies and the dog collapses, dead, the goblin’s weapon having pierced its chest.
There is a heartbeat of stillness and then the goblins begin to scream and dance around, waving weapons and shields. The mounted goblin screams in elation and then turns his attention towards the man and the woman. The goblin standing astride the rain barrel chants even louder.
Slice the dog and eat its heart…
Slice the dog and eat its heart…
Faces peer out of the windows of the White Deer. You see others through the windows of the doors. One of the goblins, standing near the doors ceases to dance around and begins yelling at the people on the inside of the Inn. It is likely that it is this goblin preventing the couple from entering the inn.
Goblins at the White Deer: Surprise Round
The goblins, dancing and screaming, are paying no attention to the newcomers to the scene. In fact, all six of them are facing away from you. If anyone or anything has their attention it is the couple behind the rain barrel.
Kenzo -Initiative:27
Eugen -Initiative:20
Rilo -Initiative:14
Magazin -Initiative:11
Gyorgy -Initiative:10
Since it's a surprise round and I can't make a full charge w/ double movement, I'll simply hustle to a spot 15' from the mounted bugger.
Eugen's sword catches the goblin between her shoulders, cleaving deep. She squawks once, her footing slips and, as she crashes down into the water of the rain-barrel, slams her head on the edge with a resounding crack. The barrel is suddenly filled, water overflowing the edges and the goblin sinks out of sight. The movement of the water and her whip, which trails out of the barrel, are the only visible sign she was there.
The goblin just ten feet north of the rain barrel, hearing the crack begins to turn around.
Rilo charges with eugen but takes a different path, heading right for another goblin just beyond the newly screeching one.
1d20=4 -1 +2= 5
At the moment he is upon him he notices the goblin turning
The goblin shrieks in sudden panic as Rilo closes and stumbles back and out of the way from the clumsy attack.
I will move up behind everyone else and let the light from the copper coin brighten the night.
Gyorgy moves up beside Magazin and casts Daze on the goblin astride the canine beast.
The mounted goblin is momentarily taken aback by the spell thrown at him but Gyorgy realizes that he managed to shake off the worst of the effects.
Goblin Save vs Daze: (1d20+2=17)
Goblins at the White Deer: Round 1
MAP
Two of the goblins, those furthest away, continue to dance and scream. But those closer turn, even as the five companions close in on them. The screams of victory die on their lips, replaced by a sudden cold and vicious silence.
The rat-like dog the goblin is riding on also turns towards Kenzo. Its long, hairless tail whips back and forth and it begins to growl.
“Save us!” screams the woman cowering behind the rain barrel.
Kenzo -Initiative:27
Eugen -Initiative:20
Rilo -Initiative:14
Magazin -Initiative:11
Gyorgy -Initiative:10
Mounted Goblin -Initiative: 9
Goblins -Initiative: 7
As Kenzo draws closer to the mounted goblin, the stench of the beast becomes almost unbeaably strong. Kenzo can see, in the light coming both from Magazin's coin and the light coming in through the windows of the White Deer, that its skin is flaky and dirty. Kenzo must fight the urge to sneeze.
As the goblin and his mount turn, Kenzo acts quickly and tries to catch them off balance. Closing the distance, he focuses and brings his chi to his right hand, so he can strike the rider with a stunning fist.
However, he miscalculates the speed of the rat-like mount and he fails to connect.
I run around the left side of the rain barrel in order to attack the goblin in b16,
"waaaa!" i yell.
The growl of the goblin's rat-dog mount grows louder and the goblin atop it, though he had for a moment seemed frightened, seems to take heart from Kenzo's futile attack.
Meanwhile Eugen's sword drops a second goblin. the little monster flies away from the blow and lands on the ground, twitching and bleeding.
Rilo is left without an immediate foe, and as he adjusts and looks around, he realizes the only enemy he can easily reach is the mounted goblin with the polearm.
Looks down at his dagger and then towards the mounted goblin with the polearm. "Oh that's terrific." Rilo hopes to join the attack on the mounted goblin, successfully at that.
The goblin's mount rears back and away from Rilo's weak attack.
"Stupid Longshanks," hisses the goblin with his eyes twinkling.
"May Desna grant us the ability to save this town, and to remove the blight of Goblins this night".